Global Service in Uruguay

The original plan for Overlake’s Global Service was to have a program in three continents: Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Establishing the program in Latin America was the goal for the 2008-2009 school year. The program was expanded in 2011 and will be continued in 2013. Located in the northern part of Uruguay where Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay meet, Bella Union is a city of 10,000 inhabitants located on the River Negro in an impoverished area. During our visit Overlake students will experience for themselves the openness, hospitality, and remarkable generosity of the Uruguayan people. Our new sister school, Escuela No.19, serves over 700 students in two shifts. The school is the largest elementary school in the country and serves the poorest students in the area. Overlake students will work at the school, both in and out of the classroom, work at a local community center in the barrio, stay at a local hotel (although there is a possibility for homestays), and learn about the culture and rhythms of life in Uruguay. During our visit the school is planning several cultural events for our students. In addition, the group will travel to Artigas, Uruguay, visit world famous amethyst mines, stay briefly in Salto at a thermal spa, and enjoy a typical Uruguayan barbecue in Montevideo. As with previous global service programs, limited financial aid will be available.

One of the most attractive features of this program is that the majority of our students will be able to converse with their Uruguayan counterparts in their own language.  Thus, this global service program provides an opportunity for service along with the cultural enhancements and language-learning benefits of the language programs.